Ink-well.



J. I. WOODRUFF.

INK WELL.

APPLIOATION FILED 313.18, 1908.

904,664. Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ZZZ 50471 1 I I I I autumn J. I. WOODRUFF.

INK WELL.

APPLICATION FILED PBB.18, 1908.

Patented. N0v.'24, 1908.

\ z I'lllllltl THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, a c.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

JOHN I. WOODRUFF, OF SELINSGROVE, PENNSYLVANIA.

INK-WELL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN I. lVooDRUEF, citizen of the United States, residing at Selmsgrove, in the county of Snyder and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ink-VVells, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides an article which is both useful, ornamental and'handy, and whlch is adapted for a desk or table and contains reservoirs for difierent inks, a rack for pen holders and pencil, a holder for memoranda slips, envelops and postal cards, a receptacle for pens, pins, and sundry articles, and a pen wiper, the several parts having a peculiar construction and arrangement.

The invention also provides a novel mounting for the main ink reservoir, and combines therewith a cover which automatically opens and closes by the weight of a pen holder or like article, which, when placed upon a rack connected with the reservoir, moves the latter and causes the cover to close, and which when removed from said rack permits the reservoir to move in an opposite direction and the cover to open.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article of the character aforesaid embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical, central longi tudinal section, the full lines showing the position of the main reservoir when turned forward and the cover open, and the dotted lines showing the position of said reservoir when turned rearward and the cover closed. Fig. 8 is a transverse section. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the upper portion of one of the rear uprights and a portion of the back, as seen from the rear.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 18, 1908.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

Serial No. 416,509.

pressions 2 and 3 and openings 1 at the sides of the depression 2 and which openings are adapted to receive receptacles 5 designed to contain inks of different nature or color. The receptacles 5 are preferably of glass and are flanged at their upper ends so as to be suspended in the openings 4 and covers 6 close the receptacles or reservoirs 5. The de pression 2 is oblong and adapted to receive a piece of sponge 7 or other material so as to provide a pen wiper for removing excess of ink from the pen or for cleaning the same. The depression 3 forms a receptacle to receive sundry articles, such as pens, paper fasteners, pins and the like. The base 1 may be of any construction and embellished according to any design and may be cast, pressed or stamped. In the preferable construction, the base is hollow and comprises a top in which the depressions 2 and 3 and the openings 4 are formed. The rim encircling the top is suspended therefrom and held in place by interlocking lugs, a and b and by means of a tie rod 8, which is passed through openings in opposite sides of the rim. Pairs of uprights 9 and 10 project vertically from the base, the uprights 9 being located near the front and the uprights 10 at the rear. Hooks 11 project forward from the rear uprights 10 so as to provide a rack to receive pen holders, lead pencils or the like.

A holder is at the rear end of the base to I receive slips, envelops, postal cards and the like. This holder is formed by the rear uprights 10, a front 12 and a back 13, said front and back being fitted to the front and rear edges of the uprights 10 and leaving a space between them for receiving the slips, envelops and the like. The front 12 and back 13 are of open work to represent a gate and may be of any ornamental design and are detachably fitted to the upright 10 to admit of the parts being separately formed and easily and quickly assembled. The uprights 9 and 10 may be of any ornamentation or finish, and, as shown, represent trunks of trees cut in half longitudinally.

The main ink reservoir 14 is mounted to turn about a horizontal axis and is finished to represent a barrel or cask, the same having,

The article comprises a base 1 having del c which obtain bearings in the uprights 9.

The front portion of the reservoir is heavier than the rear portion, the purpose being 'to' utilize this preponderance of weight to turn the reservoir so as to throw the opening 15 forward. A rack 17 is connected with the reservoir 14 and extends rearward and is adapted to receive a pen 18 or like article, whose weight combined with the leverage of the rack 17 turns the reservoir 14 so as to throw the opening 15 rearward. The rack 17 consists of a frame of approximately U-form, the side members of the frame being curved downwardly between their ends and said side members having an off-set near their upper or rear ends to provide a rest to receive the pen or like article 18 so as to hold the same in place. The reservoir is limited in its axial movements by a suitable stop, the same consisting of a figure 19 projected upward from the base and arranged in the rear of the reservoir 14 and in front of the depression or receptacle 3. The figure 19 is that of a man with the arms extended, the right arm being held aloft and the left arm projecting laterally sufficiently far to enable the hand to extend across the path of a member of the rack 17 to arrest the upward and forward movement of the same when the reservoir 14 moves forward into position to enable ink being obtained therefrom. A projection 20 at the rear of the opening 15 forms a stop which engages the figure 19 to limit the rearward movement of the reservoir when moved by the action of the pen or like article 18. The cover 16 is pivoted to the projection 20 and a flexible connection 21 is attached to the front portion of the cover 16 at one end and to the right hand of the figure 19 at its opposite end. The parts are so arranged that when the reservoir 14 is moved forward, the cover 16 inclines upward and forward so as to automatically close when the reservoir moves rearward. The flexible connection 21 supports the cover 16 in its open position when the reservoir 14 occupies a forward position. As the reservoir moves forward when relieved of the weight of the pen 18, the cover is thrown upward and forward and its front end is elevated by the flexible connection 21 drawing thereon. The reservoir 14 is preferably formed in sections and is adapted to receive a receptacle 22 forming the ink well or reservoir proper. The sections are joined by ties 23 and the front section is made heavier than the rear section. A wire 24 is arranged within the reservoir 14 and its end portions are bent so as to lie against the inner ends thereof and are again bent outward and passed through openings in the ends of the reservoir to form journals, which pivotally support the reservoir and obtain bearings in the uprights 9. From the foregoing it will be understood that when the pen or like article 18 is placed upon the rack 17, the reservoir 14 moves rearward, and the cover 16 closes, this action "being automatic, thereby preventing loss of ink by evaporation or the entrance of dust or foreign matter therein. lVhen the pen 18 is removed from the rack 17 for use, the reservoir 14 automatically moves forwardand 'the cover 16 opens, thereby admitting of ink being readily obtained. It is further noted that the upward and forward inclination of the ink well '22 admits of the ink being conby insuring the closing of the main ink res-' ervoir so as to prevent loss of ink by evaporation or the entrance of lint, dust, or other foreign matter therein.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In an appliance of the character specified, the combination of a pivotally mounted reservoir having an opening in its upper side, a movable cover for closing said opening, means for turning the reservoir in one direction and utilizing said movement to effect an opening of the cover, and a rack projected from the reservoir and adapted to receive a pen holder or like article whose weight serves to move the reservoir in an opposite direction and which movement permits the cover to automatically close.

2. In a device of the character specified, the combination of a pivotally mounted receptacle having an opening in its upper side, a pivoted cover for said opening and arranged to incline to the perpendicular or upwardly and forwardly when the said receptacle is moved forward, connecting means cooperating with said cover to hold the same elevated or open and to admit of the same closing automatically when the said receptacle is moved to a rearward position, and a rack extended from said receptacle to receive a pen or like article whose weight normally holds the said receptacle in a rearward position with the cover closed.

3. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a reservoir mounted to turn about a horizontal axis and having an opening in its upper side and normally occupying a posit-ion with said opening forward of a line passed vertically through the axis of the reservoir, a cover pivoted to the reservoir and inclined upward and forward when open when the reservoir is thrown forward, and a rack projected upward and rearward from the reservoir and adapted to receive a pen whose weight serves to throw the reservoir rearward and permit the cover to automatically close.

4. In a device of the character specified, the combination of a reservoir having an opening in its upper side and mounted to turn about a horizontal axis and having its front portion weighted, a cover pivoted to the reservoir in the rear of the opening and adapted to incline upward and forward when said reservoir is thrown forward, con necting means for holding the cover open and permitting the same to automatically close, and a rack projected upwardly and rearwardly from the reservoir and adapted to receive a pen or like article whose weight acts to throw the reservoir rearward to permit the cover to automatically close.

5. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a base provided with spaced uprights, a hollow pivotally mounted reservoir having openings in its ends, and a wire arranged within the reservoir and having its end portions bent to extend along the inner ends of the reservoir, thence outward through the openings therein and mounted in the said uprights.

6. In combination, a base provided with transversely spaced uprights, a reservoir mounted in said uprights to move about a horizontal axis and having an opening in its upper portion, a cover pivoted at one end to said reservoir in the rear of the opening, an upright projected vertically from the base in the rear of the reservoir and having portions forming stops to limit the movement of the reservoir in each direction, a connection between the free end of said cover and said upright to automatically open the cover when the reservoir is moved forward to permit the cover to automatically close when the reservoir is moved rearward, and a rack extended upward and rearward from the reservoir and comprising spaced members extending upon opposite sides of the said upright, said rack adapted to receive a pen or like article of weight sufficient for moving the reservoir rearward to permit the cover to automatically close.

7. A device substantially as specified, comprising a base having front and rear depressions and openings at opposite sides of the front depression to receive receptacles, and having front and rear uprights, the rear uprights having hooks at their front edges to form a pen rack, a front and a back fitted to the rear uprights and inclosing a space therewith to form a holder for receiving envelops, slips and the like, a reservoir mounted between the front uprights and having an opening in its upper side and weighted to normally occupy a forward position, a cover pivoted to the reservoir in the rear of the opening, an upright located in the rear of the reservoir and forming a stop to limit the turning movements thereof, a connection between the front end of the said cover and the said upright to hold the cover upwardly and forwardly inclined, and a rack ext-ended upward and rearward from the reservoir and approximately of U-form and having its side members downwardly curved and off-set near their upper rear ends to form a pen rest, said reservoir being moved rearward by the weight of a pen or like article placed upon the rack connected therewith, whereby the cover of the receptacle remains closed so long as the rack is weighted and automatically opens when the pen is removed from said rack.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN I. WOODRUFF. 

